Hurricane Readiness: What to Finish Before Watches and Warnings
The work that has to happen before the storm is named.
Hurricane prep is a season-long project, not a last-minute errand. Here's what to finish early.
Know your zone and routes
Learn whether you live in an evacuation zone and what your local routes are. Evacuation orders come from local officials — follow them. Waiting to decide until the roads are full is how people end up stuck in traffic during a storm. Know your zone, your route, and your destination before the season starts.
Identify where you would go and how you would get there. A friend or family member inland, a hotel outside the evacuation zone, or a designated shelter — have at least one option confirmed in advance. If you have pets, confirm that your destination accepts them, since many shelters do not.
Secure your home
Check shutters or plywood, clear gutters and drains, and secure loose outdoor items before wind picks up. A patio chair through a window is a common and avoidable source of damage. Trim branches that overhang the roof so they don't become projectiles.
If you have a generator, know how to run it safely before the storm. Never operate a generator indoors or in an enclosed space — carbon monoxide kills. Plan where it will sit, how it will be grounded, and how you'll fuel it. Test it once during the season so it runs when you need it.
Stock before the rush
Buy water, shelf-stable food, batteries, and fuel early. Supplies vanish the day a storm is named. Build your 72-hour kit and extend it toward a week before hurricane season, not during the first watch. Fill your vehicle's gas tank when a storm is days out, and keep a couple of extra gallons if you can store them safely.
Waterproof your documents: IDs, insurance policies, deeds, and medical information in a waterproof bag, with a digital copy on an encrypted drive. After a storm, proving who you are and what you own is the first step toward recovery, and wet paperwork is no help at all.
Plan for flooding and power
Even outside evacuation zones, flooding and multi-day outages are common with hurricanes. Have your documents waterproofed and a power plan ready. A battery or hand-crank radio keeps you informed when cell towers are strained or down.
Review your insurance before the season. Standard homeowners and renters policies typically do not cover flooding from storms; a separate flood policy may be available through the National Flood Insurance Program. There is usually a waiting period before a new policy takes effect, so this is a decision to make months ahead, not days.
Sources & further reading
This guide is planning guidance, not emergency advice. In an emergency, call 911. See a mistake? Report it.